Method and apparatus to store equestrian riding gear on a transportable tack rack

ABSTRACT

A portable, disassembleable tack rack for use on uneven terrain is disclosed. The length and width of Applicant&#39;s tack rack can be adjusted. In addition, the lengths of a plurality of supporting legs are each independently adjustable such that Applicant&#39;s apparatus can be used on sloping terrain.  
     A method to assemble a portable tack rack from a plurality of rigid members and, optionally, one or more flexible mesh structures is disclosed. When disassembled, the components of Applicant&#39;s tack rack apparatus can be stored and transported in a conventional duffel-type, cylindrical bag.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable apparatus and, moreparticularly, to a sturdy equestrian tack rack apparatus, which can bequickly assembled and used on uneven terrain, and which can be easilyand quickly disassembled for transportation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In conjunction with professional equestrian activities, such asmountain search and rescue operations or livestock management, there isoften a need to quickly erect on uneven terrain an apparatus for holdingand arranging riding gear such as saddles, saddle blankets, combs,bridles, halters, and the like.

[0003] Prior art tack racks fail to provide all the features required.The shortcomings of these prior art devices include expense, difficultyin setup and removal, inability to be used on uneven terrain, andnon-portability. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,521 teaches a portabletack rack that fails to meet the criteria set forth above.

[0004] Specifically, the tack rack of the '521 patent cannot be used onuneven terrain. The '521 tack rack comprises “two rigid rectangularframes hingedly connected such that the frames fold one against theother and unfold such that at least one of the frames sit upright from asupport surface.” Col. 1/1. 35-38. As FIG. 1 shows, the lengths of thelegs of the '521 tack rack are not adjustable. Therefore, while the '521tack rack may be stable on a flat surface, this apparatus cannot be usedon uneven terrain. Rather, the '521 tack rack is unstable when placed onuneven terrain.

[0005] There remains a need for a portable, easilyassemblable/disassemblable, low cost, tack rack that can be used onuneven terrain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Applicant's invention includes an apparatus for storingequestrian riding gear. Applicant's apparatus can be easily assembled atremote locations, and can be used on uneven, i.e. sloping terrain.Applicant's apparatus is releaseably erected from a plurality of rigidmembers, and optionally, one or more flexible mesh components. Afteruse, Applicant's apparatus can be easily disassembled for ease oftransportation. When disassembled, the components of Applicant'sapparatus can be stored and/or transported in a conventionalduffel-type, i.e. cylindrical, bag.

[0007] Applicant's invention also includes a method to erect a portabletack rack apparatus for use on uneven terrain. A first rectangular frameis releaseably assembled from component parts. That first rectangularframe is then releaseably connected to a plurality of vertical supportmembers, such that the lengths of a plurality of legs are eachindependently adjustable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention will be better understood from a reading of thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings inwhich like reference designators are used to designate like elements,and in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of Applicant's invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first rectangular framecomponent of Applicant's apparatus;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of Applicant'sapparatus wherein the first rectangular frame includes a mesh structure;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a side view of a first component of an attachment meansused in Applicant's invention;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a side view of a second component of the attachmentmeans used in Applicant's invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of both components of the attachmentmeans used in Applicant's invention;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment ofApplicant's apparatus;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing Applicant's saddle supportapparatus;

[0017]FIG. 9 summarizes Applicant's method to assemble and storeequestrian gear using Applicant's apparatus on uneven terrain; and

[0018]FIG. 10 summarizes a further embodiment of Applicant's method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Turning to FIG. 1, disassemblable tack rack 10 comprises firstrectangular frame 20 having first corner 22, second corner 24, thirdcorner 26, and fourth corner 28. Tack rack 10 further includes firstvertical support member 30, second vertical support member 40, thirdvertical support member 50, and fourth vertical support member 60.Vertical support members 30, 40, 50, and 60 may comprise 2-sided,3-sided, and/or 4-sided assemblies wherein the sides are ofapproximately the same or different dimension. In all these embodiments,vertical members 30, 40, 50, and 60 can be formed from any rigidmaterial, including wood, metal, and/or plastic.

[0020] First vertical support member 30 includes first end 32 and secondend 34. First vertical support member 30 is releaseably connected tofirst corner 22 of first rectangular frame 20 at first connection point36. The distance between first connection point 36 and first end 32 offirst vertical support 30 is first leg length 38.

[0021] Second vertical support member 40 includes first end 42 andsecond end 44. Second vertical support member 40 is releaseablyconnected to second corner 24 of first rectangular frame 20 at secondconnection point 46. The distance between second connection point 46 andfirst end 42 of second vertical support 40 is second leg length 48.

[0022] Third vertical support member 50 includes first end 52 and secondend 54. Third vertical support member 50 is releaseably connected tothird corner 26 of first rectangular frame 20 at third connection point56. The distance between third connection point 56 and first end 52 ofthird vertical support 50 is third leg length 58.

[0023] Fourth vertical support member 60 includes first end 62 andsecond end 64. Fourth vertical support member 60 is releaseablyconnected to fourth corner 28 of first rectangular frame 20 at fourthconnection point 66. The distance between fourth connection point 66 andfirst end 62 of fourth vertical support 60 is fourth leg length 68.

[0024] When used on flat terrain, first leg length 38, second leg length48, third leg length 58, and fourth leg length 68 are about the same.When used on uneven, i.e. sloping, terrain, however, the lengths of eachleg are independently adjustable such that first rectangule frame 20remains level.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, first rectangular frame 20 is formed fromfirst member 200 having first end 202 and second end 204, second member210 having first end 212 and second end 214, third member 220 havingfirst end 222 and second end 224, and fourth member 230 having first end232 and second end 234. First member 200, second member 210, thirdmember 220, and fourth member 230 can be formed from any rigid material,including wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof.

[0026] First end 202 of first member 200 is releaseably connected tofirst end 212 of second member 212 thereby forming first corner 22.Second end 204 of first member 200 is releaseably connected to first end222 of third member 220 thereby forming second corner 24. Second end 214of second member 210 is releaseably connected to first end 232 of fourthmember 230 thereby forming third corner 26. Second end 224 of thirdmember 220 is releaseably connected to second end 234 of fourth member230 thereby forming fourth corner 28.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment of Applicant's apparatusmesh structure 300 is releaseably attached to first rectangular frame200. In FIG. 3, mesh structure 300 is shown disposed above frame 200 forclarity. In actual use, first side 302 of mesh structure 300 isreleaseably attached to first member 200. Second side 304 of meshstructure 300 is releaseably attached to second member 210. Third side306 of mesh structure 300 is releaseably attached to third member 220.Fourth side 308 of mesh structure 300 is releaseably attached to fourthmember 230.

[0028] Mesh structure 300 is formed from either metal or plastic. In oneembodiment, when not attached to frame 200, mesh structure can be rolledinto a cylindrical shape for ease of transportation.

[0029] Certain embodiments of Applicant's apparatus include a secondrectangular frame. Referring again to FIG. 1, second rectangular frame70 is shown disposed above first rectangular frame 20. Secondrectangular frame 70 is formed in the manner described above for firstrectangular frame 20. In certain embodiments, second mesh structure 80is releaseably attached to second rectangular frame 70 in the mannerdescribed above.

[0030]FIGS. 4 and 5 show the components of a first attachment meanswhereby the above-described releaseable attachments and connections areformed. Referring to FIG. 4, a portion 400 of one side of verticalsupport member 30 is shown. Six reverse teardrop attachment slots 402,404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 are disposed in portion 400 as shown. Thesesix attachment slots are arranged as three sets of two parallel slots.Each reverse teardrop slot comprises two intersecting circular holes,wherein the top circular hole has diameter D₁ and the bottom circularhole has diameter D₂. As can be seen in FIG. 2, D₁ is greater than D₂.D₁ is between about 0.25 and 1.0 inches, preferably between about 0.50and about 0.75 inches.

[0031] Vertical support members 30, 40, 50, and 60 are formed withmultiple sets of two parallel attachment slots as shown in FIG. 4disposed in all of their sides. For example, in the four-sidedembodiment all four sides are formed with a multiplicity of sets of twoparallel attachment slots disposed along the entire lengths of all foursides. In the two-sided embodiment, both sides are formed with amultiplicity of sets of two parallel attachment slots disposed along theentire lengths of both sides.

[0032]FIG. 5 shows attachment pin 500. Attachment pin 500 comprisesshaft 510 having proximal end 512 and distal end 514. Circular flange520 is disposed on distal end 514. Shaft 510 has a diameter of D₄.Circular flange 520 has a diameter of D₃. As depicted in FIG. 5, D₄ issmaller than D₃. The diameter of circular flange 520, namely diameterD₃, is smaller than diameter D₁ such that attachment pin 500 will extendthrough upper portion 420 of attachment slot 402. Once extended into topportion 420, attachment pin 500 can be lowered such that shaft 510 restsagainst bottom 430 of slot 402. The diameter of shaft 510, namelydiameter D₄, is smaller than diameter D₂.

[0033] Diameter D₃ of circular flange 520 is larger than diameter D₂.Therefore, attachment pin 500 can be extended through top portion 420 ofattachment slot 402, however when pin 500 is lowered to contact bottom430 of attachment slot 403, attachment pin 500 cannot be removed fromslot 402.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 6, the releaseable attachment of first member200 to vertical support member 30 is shown. Attachment pins 602 and 612are disposed on first member 200. First member 200 is shown incross-section. Attachment pin 602 is disposed directly above attachmentpin 612.

[0035] Corresponding attachment slots 620 and 630 are disposed invertical support member 30. A top view of vertical support member 30 isshown.

[0036] First member 200 is positioned such that circular flanges 604 and614 are extended through the top portions 622 and 632 of slots 620 and630, respectively. First member 200 is then lowered such that shafts 606and 616 rest against the bottom portions 624 and 634 of slots 620 and630, respectively, thereby attaching first member 200 to verticalsupport member 30.

[0037] By virtue of the attachment means described above, tack storagedevice 10 can be completely dissembled into its components for ease oftransportation. In addition, the height and/or width of tack storageapparatus 10 can be adjusted by changing the lengths of the variousvertical support members and/or the members forming first rectangularframe 20 and second rectangular frame 70.

[0038] The length of Applicant's apparatus can be extended by using, forexample, 6 vertical support members and 2 rectangular frames in tandem.FIG. 7 shows apparatus 700 which includes first rectangular frame 710,first mesh structure 715, second rectangular frame 720, second meshstructure 725, first vertical support member 730, second verticalsupport member 740, third vertical support member 750, fourth verticalsupport member 760, fifth vertical support member 770, and sixthvertical support member 780.

[0039] First rectangular frame 710 is releaseably attached to first,second, fourth, and fifth vertical support members 730, 740, 760, and770, respectively, in the manner described above. Similarly, secondrectangular frame 720 is releaseably attached to second, third, fifth,and sixth vertical support members, 740, 750, 770, and 780,respectively, in the manner described above.

[0040] First rectangular frame 710 and second rectangular frame 720 areformed as described above for first rectangular frame 20 and secondrectangular frame 70 in FIGS. 1 and 2. First mesh structure 715 isreleaseably attached to first rectangular frame 710, and second meshstructure 725 is releaseably attached to second rectangular from 720, inthe manner described above in conjunction with first mesh structure 300in FIG. 3.

[0041] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the vertical andhorizontal members comprising tack storage apparatus 10 can bepermanently attached to one another. For example, if the varioushorizontal and vertical members are formed from metal, those members canbe attached by conventional welding techniques. On the other hand, ifthe vertical and horizontal members are formed from a rigid plasticmaterial, those members can be joined by plastic welding, adhesivejoining, and/or solvent bonding.

[0042] In addition, Applicant's assembled tack storage apparatus can bepermanently affixed to a floor or a wall. Referring to FIG. 1,attachment of foot plates to the first ends 32, 42, 52, and 62,respectively, will allow attachment of apparatus 10 to a floor usingconventional methods, i.e. screws. Use of conventional wall ties willallow Applicant's assembled tack storage apparatus to be affixed to awall.

[0043] Referring again to FIG. 1, saddle support 90 is shown releaseablyconnected to vertical support members 40. Saddle support 90 includeshorizontal member 92 which is releaseably connected to vertical supportmember 40 in the manner described above using a plurality of attachmentpins disposed on proximal end 94 of horizontal member 92, and aplurality of attachment slots disposed on vertical support member 40.Horizontal member 92 can be formed from any rigid material includingwood, plastic, and metal. Horizontal member 92 has a top and bottomjoined by first side 96 and an opposing second side 98 (not shown inFIG. 1).

[0044] Referring to FIG. 8, first horizontal support 100 extendsoutwardly and downwardly from first side 96 of horizontal member 92.First horizontal support 100 is formed from first leg 104, second leg106, and distal member 110. Legs 104 and 116, and distal member 110, canbe formed from any rigid material including wood, metal, and/or plastic.

[0045] Proximal end 106 of first leg 104 connects to, and extendsoutwardly and downwardly from, first side 96 of horizontal member 92.Distal end 108 of first leg 104 connects to first end 112 of distalmember 110 such that first leg 104 and distal member 110 areapproximately perpendicular. By approximately perpendicular, Applicantmeans the angle formed between first leg 104 and distal member 110 isabout 90 degrees, plus or minus about 20 degrees.

[0046] Proximal end 118 of second leg 116 connects to, and extendsoutwardly and downwardly from, first side 96 of horizontal member 92.Distal end 120 of second leg 116 connects to second end 114 of distalmember 110 such that second leg 116 and distal member 110 areapproximately perpendicular. By approximately perpendicular, Applicantmeans the angle formed between second leg 116 and distal member 110 isabout 90 degrees, plus or minus about 20 degrees. First leg 104 andsecond leg 116 are approximately parallel. By approximately parallel,Applicant means the angle formed between first leg 104 and second leg116 is about 180 degrees, plus or minus about 20 degrees.

[0047] Second horizontal support 140 extends outwardly and downwardlyfrom second side 98 of horizontal member 92. Second horizontal support140 is formed in the manner described above in conjunction with firsthorizontal support 100.

[0048] Referring again to FIG. 1, saddle support 90 is shown releaseablyattached to vertical support member 40. In other embodiments ofApplicant's apparatus, saddle support 90 can be releaseably attached toany of the vertical support members, to first rectangular frame 20, orto second rectangular frame 70. In other embodiments, a plurality ofsaddle supports are affixed to Applicant's tack storage apparatus in themanner described above.

[0049] In one embodiment of Applicant's tack storage apparatus havingthe dimensions of 4 feet in length, 3 feet in width, and 6 feet inheight can accommodate three saddle supports on each vertical member,and two saddle supports on each rectangular frame, for a total capacityof 20 saddle supports.

[0050] Tack gear including reins, blankets, and the like, can be hungover, or suspended from first rectangular frame 20 and/or secondrectangular frame 70. Alternatively, “s”-shaped hooks can be affixed toone or more of the vertical support members and tack gear can besuspended from the distal ends of those “s”-hooks. A tube/rod can besuspended from two such “s”-hooks to form a clothes rod from whichriding clothes can be hung with, or without, use of conventional clotheshangers.

[0051] In another embodiment, one end of a conventional horse shoe canbe extended through an attachment slot, and the other end used as a hookfrom which to hang tack gear. As those skilled in the art willappreciate, the width of the horse shoe is selected such that one endwill fit snugly into an attachment slot.

[0052] Applicant's invention includes a method to store equestrianequipment in a remote location on uneven terrain. FIG. 9 summarizesApplicant's method. In step 802 a first rectangular frame is provided.In steps 804, 806, 808, and 810 first, second, third, and fourthvertical supports are releaseably connected to the four corners of thefirst rectangular frame.

[0053] In step 812 the assembled frame is checked for levelness. If theframe is not level, then the length of one or more of the legs isadjusted to make the frame level. Once the frame is level, in step 816 amesh structure is releaseably attached to the frame. Thereafter in step818 tack gear is placed onto the assembled apparatus.

[0054] Step 802 further comprises the steps shown in FIG. 10. In steps902, 904, 906, and 908, four rigid members, each having a first end anda second end, are provided. In step 910, the first end of the firstmember is releaseably connected to the first end of the second member.In step 912, the second end of the first member is releaseably connectedto the first end of the third member. In step 914, the second end of thesecond member is releaseably connected to the first end of the fourthmember. In step 916, the second end of the third member is releaseablyconnected to the second end of the fourth member.

[0055] In other embodiments of Applicant's method, a second rectangularframe is assembled from fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth members. Thatsecond rectangular frame is then releaseably connected to the first,second, third, and fourth vertical support members. Thereafter, a secondmesh structure is releaseably connected to the second rectangular frame.

I claim:
 1. A portable tack rack in combination with at least onesaddle, comprising: a first rectangular frame having a first corner, asecond corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner; a first verticalsupport member having a first end and a second end, wherein said firstvertical support member is releaseably connected to said first corner ofsaid first rectangular frame at a first connection point disposedbetween said first end and said second end of said first verticalsupport member, wherein the distance between said first end of saidfirst vertical support member and said first connection point comprisesa first leg length; a second vertical support member having a first endand a second end, wherein said second vertical support member isreleaseably connected to said second corner of said first rectangularframe at a second connection point disposed between said first end andsaid second end of said second vertical support member, wherein thedistance between said first end of said second vertical support memberand said second connection point comprises a second leg length; a thirdvertical support member having a first end and a second end, whereinsaid third vertical support member is releaseably connected to saidthird corner of said first rectangular frame at a third connection pointdisposed between said first end and said second end of said thirdvertical support member, wherein the distance between said first end ofsaid third vertical support member and said third connection pointcomprises a third leg length; a fourth vertical support member having afirst end and a second end, wherein said fourth vertical support memberis releaseably connected to said fourth corner of said first rectangularframe at a fourth connection point disposed between said first end andsaid second end of said fourth vertical support member, wherein thedistance between said first end of said fourth vertical support memberand said fourth connection point comprises a fourth leg length; whereinsaid first leg length can be equal to, less than, or greater than, saidsecond leg length, said third leg length, and said fourth leg length;wherein said second leg length can be equal to, less than, or greaterthan, said first leg length, said third leg length, and said fourth leglength; wherein said third leg length can be equal to, less than, orgreater than, said first leg length, said second leg length, and saidfourth leg length; and and wherein said fourth leg length can be equalto, less than, or greater than, said first leg length, said second leglength, and said third leg length.
 2. The tack rack of claim 1 , whereinsaid first rectangular frame comprises a first member having a first anda second end, a second member having a first and a second end, a thirdmember having a first and a second end, and a fourth member having afirst and a second end; wherein said first end of said first member isreleaseably connected to said first end of said second member and saidsecond end of said first member is releaseably connected to said firstend of said third member; and wherein said first end of said fourthmember is releaseably connected to said second end of said second memberand said second end of said fourth member is releaseably connected tosaid second end of said third member.
 3. The portable tack rack of claim2 , said first rectangular frame further comprising a first meshstructure having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourthside; wherein said first side of said first mesh structure isreleaseably connected to said first member, said second side of saidfirst mesh structure is releaseably connected to said second member,said third side of said first mesh structure is releaseably connected tosaid third member, and said fourth side of said first mesh structure isreleaseably connected to said fourth member.
 4. The portable tack rackof claim 3 , further comprising a first saddle support, wherein saidfirst saddle support comprises: a horizontal member comprising a firstvertical side and an opposing second vertical side, and a first end, asecond end; a first horizontal support disposed on, and extendingdownwardly and outwardly from, said first vertical side; a secondhorizontal support disposed on, and extending downwardly and outwardlyfrom, said second vertical side; wherein said saddle is removeablydisposed on said first saddle support.
 5. The first saddle support ofclaim 4 , wherein said first horizontal support comprises: a firstdistal member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portiondisposed between said first and second end; a first leg having a distalend and a proximal end, wherein said distal end of said first leg isconnected to said first end of said first distal member such that saidfirst leg and said first distal member are approximately perpendicular;a second leg having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distalend of said second leg is connected to said second end of said firstdistal member such that said second leg and said first distal member areapproximately perpendicular, and such that said first leg and saidsecond leg are approximately parallel; wherein said proximal end of saidfirst leg and said proximal end of said second leg are connected to saidfirst vertical side of said horizontal member.
 6. The first saddlesupport of claim 5 , wherein said second horizontal support comprises: asecond distal member having a first end, a second end, and a middleportion disposed between said first and second end; a third leg having adistal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end of said third legis connected to said first end of said second distal member such thatsaid first leg and said second distal member are approximatelyperpendicular; a fourth leg having a distal end and a proximal end,wherein said distal end of said fourth leg is connected to said secondend of said second distal member such that said fourth leg and saidsecond distal member are approximately perpendicular, and such that saidthird leg and said fourth leg are approximately parallel; wherein saidproximal end of said third leg and said proximal end of said fourth legare connected to said second vertical side of said horizontal member. 7.The portable tack rack of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality ofsaddle supports.
 8. The portable tack rack of claim 2 , furthercomprising a second rectangular frame, wherein said second rectangularframe comprises a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and afourth corner; wherein said first vertical support member is releaseablyconnected to said first corner of said second rectangular frame at afifth connection point, said second vertical support member isreleaseably connected to said second corner of said second rectangularframe at a sixth connection point, said third vertical support member isreleaseably connected to said third corner of said second rectangularframe at a seventh connection point, and said fourth vertical supportmember is releaseably connected to said fourth corner of said secondrectangular frame at an eighth connection point.
 9. The tack rack ofclaim 8 , wherein said second rectangular frame comprises a fifth memberhaving a first and a second end, a sixth member having a first and asecond end, a seventh member having a first and a second end, and aneighth member having a first and a second end; wherein said first end ofsaid fifth member is releaseably connected to said first end of saidsixth member and said second end of said fifth member is releaseablyconnected to said first end of said seventh member; and wherein saidfirst end of said eighth member is releaseably connected to said secondend of said sixth member and said second end of said fourth member isreleaseably connected to said second end of said seventh member.
 10. Theportable tack rack of claim 9 , said second rectangular frame furthercomprising a second mesh structure having a first side, a second side, athird side, and a fourth side; wherein said first side of said secondmesh structure is releaseably connected to said fifth member, saidsecond side of said second mesh structure is releaseably connected tosaid sixth member, said third side of said second mesh structure isreleaseably connected to said seventh member, and said fourth side ofsaid second mesh structure is releaseably connected to said eighthmember.
 11. A method to temporarily store equestrian riding equipment onuneven terrain, comprising the steps of: providing a first rectangularframe having a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and afourth corner; providing a first vertical support member having a firstend and a second end, a second vertical support member having a firstend and a second end, a third vertical support member having a first endand a second end, and a fourth vertical support member having a firstend and a second end; releaseably connecting said first vertical supportmember to said first corner of said first rectangular frame at a firstconnection point disposed between said first end and said second end ofsaid first vertical support member, wherein the distance between saidfirst end of said first vertical support member and said firstconnection point comprises a first leg length; releaseably connectingsaid second vertical support member to said second corner of said firstrectangular frame at a second connection point disposed between saidfirst end and said second end of said second vertical support member,wherein the distance between said first end of said second verticalsupport member and said second connection point comprises a second leglength; releaseably connecting said third vertical support member tosaid third corner of said first rectangular frame at a third connectionpoint disposed between said first end and said second end of said thirdvertical support member, wherein the distance between said first end ofsaid third vertical support member and said third connection pointcomprises a third leg length; releaseably connecting said fourthvertical support member to said fourth corner of said first rectangularframe at a fourth connection point disposed between said first end andsaid second end of said fourth vertical support member, wherein thedistance between said first end of said fourth vertical support memberand said fourth connection point comprises a fourth leg length;adjusting the lengths of said first leg length, said second leg length,said third leg length, and said fourth leg length such that said firstrectangular frame is level.
 12. The method of claim 11 , wherein saidfirst rectangular frame comprises a first member having a first and asecond end, a second member having a first and a second end, a thirdmember having a first and a second end, and a fourth member having afirst and a second end; wherein said first end of said first member isreleaseably connected to said first end of said second member and saidsecond end of said first member is releaseably connected to said firstend of said third member; and wherein said first end of said fourthmember is releaseably connected to said second end of said second memberand said second end of said fourth member is releaseably connected tosaid second end of said third member.
 13. The method of claim 12 ,further comprising the steps of: providing a first mesh structure havinga first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side;releaseably connecting said first side of said first mesh structure tosaid first member; releaseably connecting said second side of said firstmesh structure to said second member; releaseably connecting said thirdside of said first mesh structure to said third member; and releaseablyconnecting said fourth side of said first mesh structure to said fourthmember.
 14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step ofreleaseably attaching to said first vertical support a first saddlesupport.
 15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said first saddle supportcomprises: a horizontal member comprising a first vertical side and anopposing second vertical side, and a first end, a second end; a firsthorizontal support disposed on, and extending downwardly and outwardlyfrom, said first vertical side; a second horizontal support disposed on,and extending downwardly and outwardly from, said second vertical side;wherein said saddle is removeably disposed on said first saddle support.16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said first horizontal supportcomprises: a first distal member having a first end, a second end, and amiddle portion disposed between said first and second end; a first leghaving a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end of saidfirst leg is connected to said first end of said first distal membersuch that said first leg and said first distal member are approximatelyperpendicular; a second leg having a distal end and a proximal end,wherein said distal end of said second leg is connected to said secondend of said first distal member such that said second leg and said firstdistal member are approximately perpendicular, and such that said firstleg and said second leg are approximately parallel; wherein saidproximal end of said first leg and said proximal end of said second legare connected to said first vertical side of said horizontal member. 17.The method of claim 16 , wherein said second horizontal supportcomprises: a second distal member having a first end, a second end, anda middle portion disposed between said first and second end; a third leghaving a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end of saidthird leg is connected to said first end of said second distal membersuch that said first leg and said second distal member are approximatelyperpendicular; a fourth leg having a distal end and a proximal end,wherein said distal end of said fourth leg is connected to said secondend of said second distal member such that said fourth leg and saidsecond distal member are approximately perpendicular, and such that saidthird leg and said fourth leg are approximately parallel; wherein saidproximal end of said third leg and said proximal end of said fourth legare connected to said second vertical side of said horizontal member.18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of releaseablyattaching a plurality of saddle supports to one or more of said verticalsupport members.
 19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising thesteps of: providing a second rectangular frame, wherein said secondrectangular frame comprises a first corner, a second corner, a thirdcorner, and a fourth corner; releaseably connecting said first verticalsupport to said first corner of said second rectangular frame at a fifthconnection point; releaseably connecting said second vertical supportmember to said second corner of said second rectangular frame at a sixthconnection point; releaseably connecting said third vertical supportmember to said third corner of said second rectangular frame at aseventh connection point; and releaseably connecting said fourthvertical support member to said fourth corner of said second rectangularframe at an eighth connection point.
 20. The method of claim 19 ,wherein said second rectangular frame comprises a fifth member having afirst and a second end, a sixth member having a first and a second end,a seventh member having a first and a second end, and an eighth memberhaving a first and a second end; wherein said first end of said fifthmember is releaseably connected to said first end of said sixth memberand said second end of said fifth member is releaseably connected tosaid first end of said seventh member; and wherein said first end ofsaid eighth member is releaseably connected to said second end of saidsixth member and said second end of said fourth member is releaseablyconnected to said second end of said seventh member.
 21. The method ofclaim 20 , further comprising the steps of: providing a second meshstructure having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourthside; releaseably connecting said first side of said second meshstructure to said fifth member; releaseably connecting said second sideof said second mesh structure to said sixth member; releaseablyconnecting said third side of said second mesh structure to said seventhmember; and releaseably connecting said fourth side of said second meshstructure to said eighth member.